Cost of Living Comparison Between Costa Mesa, CA and Memphis, TN Cost of Living Comparison Between Costa Mesa, CA and Memphis, TN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,738 per month in Costa Mesa, CA vs $2,434 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,327 per month in Costa Mesa, CA vs $3,435 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,915 per month in Costa Mesa, CA vs $4,437 in Memphis, TN, rent included.

Costa Mesa, CA costs about 54% more than Memphis, TN, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Costa Mesa, CA and Memphis, TN sit above the global median – Costa Mesa, CA by 179%, Memphis, TN by 82%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.31 $20.31

$19.35 $19.35

4.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.9 $78.9

$75.2 $75.2

4.89%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.14 $12.14

$10.12 $10.12

19.96%

Cappuccino

$5.07 $5.07

$5.10 $5.10

-0.59%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.26 $3.26

$2.51 $2.51

29.88%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 $2.27

$1.95 $1.95

16.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.08 $7.08

$6.11 $6.11

15.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.22 $8.22

$7.88 $7.88

4.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$0.93 $0.93

21.51%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$2.76 $2.76

47.83%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$4.54 $4.54

-1.10%

Eggs

$5.11 $5.11

$4.13 $4.13

23.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.45 $10.45

$11.37 $11.37

-8.09%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.76 $8.76

$11.08 $11.08

-20.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.75 $14.75

$15.58 $15.58

-5.33%

Apples (1kg)

$4.42 $4.42

$6.35 $6.35

-30.39%

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.57 $1.57

23.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.45 $4.45

$5.27 $5.27

-15.56%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$4.90 $4.90

16.12%

Potato (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$5.12 $5.12

-12.70%

Onion (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$3.51 $3.51

-16.52%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.34 $2.34

-9.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.10 $2.10

$2.47 $2.47

-14.98%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.85 $10.85

$7.79 $7.79

39.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$14.26 $14.26

7.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.69 $1.69

13.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.56 $3.56

$1.93 $1.93

84.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$1.24 $1.24

62.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$12.53 $12.53

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.73 $6.73

$2.05 $2.05

228.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.79 $2.79

$1.36 $1.36

105.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.28 $29.28

$20.39 $20.39

43.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 $1.24

$0.82 $0.82

51.22%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.4K $24.4K

$32.9K $32.9K

-25.99%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.7K $24.7K

$27.0K $27.0K

-8.73%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$294 $294

$212 $212

38.83%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$52.4 $52.4

$59.9 $59.9

-12.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.5 $59.5

$68.3 $68.3

-12.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$39.72 $39.72

$38.34 $38.34

3.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.69 $17.69

Cinema Ticket

$14.95 $14.95

$12.78 $12.78

16.98%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,204 $1,204

$1,591 $1,591

-24.30%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.3K $23.3K

$26.7K $26.7K

-12.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.4 $55.4

$39.46 $39.46

40.32%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.50 $34.50

$32.08 $32.08

7.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.2 $88.2

$73.6 $73.6

19.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

$138 $138

-25.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,775 $2,775

$1,197 $1,197

131.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,513 $2,513

$1,154 $1,154

117.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,931 $3,931

$1,586 $1,586

147.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,915 $3,915

$1,637 $1,637

139.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,757 $1,757

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,380 $1,380

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,090 $6,090

$3,642 $3,642

67.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.53

0.77%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Costa Mesa, CA: June 2, 2026

Last update for Memphis, TN: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,775 in Costa Mesa, CA versus $1,197 in Memphis, TN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 67% higher in Costa Mesa, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Costa Mesa, CA versus $75.0 in Memphis, TN. Groceries tell a different story – $390 in Costa Mesa, CA vs $397 in Memphis, TN – so Costa Mesa, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Costa Mesa, CA vs Memphis, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Mesa, CA costs about 54% more than Memphis, TN, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,608 per month in Costa Mesa, CA and $3,651 in Memphis, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Memphis, TN, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,738 in Costa Mesa, CA and $2,434 in Memphis, TN. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,204 per month in Costa Mesa, CA and $1,591 in Memphis, TN. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Memphis, TN, where all-in costs run around $2,434, than in Costa Mesa, CA at $3,738. In Memphis, TN it covers expenses comfortably, while in Costa Mesa, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Memphis, TN costs $2,434 versus $3,738 in Costa Mesa, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Memphis, TN. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Costa Mesa, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.